22 LR Subsonic Ammo For Sale

22LR subsonic ammo is rimfire ammunition loaded to stay below the speed of sound – roughly 1,125 feet per second at sea level. Unlike centerfire calibers where subsonic loads require a heavier bullet (147gr 9mm, for example), 22LR sits in a category of its own: standard velocity loads are often already at or just under the subsonic threshold, dedicated "subsonic" SKUs push it lower (~1,050 fps), and ultra-quiet loads like CCI Quiet-22 run as slow as 710 fps – quieter than most pellet rifles. On the centerfire rifle side that same trade is made with mass instead - subsonic 308 ammo gets under the threshold with a 200 grain bullet.

For shooters running a 22LR suppressor – the most common host caliber in the country – subsonic ammo is the difference between a backyard-friendly "tch tch" and a sharp crack that defeats the can. Even unsuppressed, subsonic 22LR is meaningfully quieter than high-velocity loads like CCI Stinger (1,640 fps) or Mini Mag (1,235 fps), which break the sound barrier on the way out.

Why shooters pick subsonic 22LR

• Suppressor pairing. 22LR cans are the most affordable entry point into the suppressor world. Subsonic ammo lets the suppressor do its full job – no sonic crack as the bullet flies downrange.
• Backyard pest control. Where neighbors and city noise ordinances matter, subsonic 22LR puts down squirrels, starlings, and rats without alarming the block.
• Training new shooters. Lower report and recoil make subsonic the obvious choice for kids and first-time shooters, especially indoors.
• Match accuracy. Competition shooters often prefer subsonic for the velocity consistency that drives tight groups at 50 and 100 yards.
• Small game at close range. Rabbits, squirrels, and ground game inside 50 yards don't need supersonic velocity – shot placement matters more than speed.

22LR Velocity Spectrum

Will subsonic cycle a semi-auto 22?

Some semi-automatic 22s – particularly the Ruger 10/22 and certain Browning Buck Mark setups – were tuned around high-velocity loads and may short-stroke on true subsonic ammo. The fix is usually a lighter recoil spring, a lighter bolt buffer, or simply running CCI Standard Velocity (1,070 fps) instead of dedicated subsonic (sub-1,050 fps) loads. Bolt-action and lever-action 22s have no cycling concerns and run any subsonic load cleanly.

Hollow point expansion at subsonic velocities

Most 22LR JHP designs need 950+ fps to expand reliably. CCI Quiet-22 at 710 fps will pencil through soft targets like solid lead rather than expand. For self-defense or larger pest applications where expansion matters, stick to standard subsonic (~1,050 fps) hollow points – CCI Suppressor 45gr HP, Aguila Subsonic 38gr HP, Federal Hunter Match 40gr HP – rather than ultra-quiet loads. For the wider hollow point picture across velocities, our 22 LR hollow point page collects the copper-plated, lead, and jacketed options we stock in 32 to 40 grain.

Popular Subsonic 22LR Brands We Carry

• Federal 22LR Ammo – Hunter Match subsonic HP is a top pick for pest control and suppressed use
• Fiocchi 22LR Ammo – Fiocchi 320 Subsonic 40gr SHP runs cleanly suppressed
• Remington 22LR Ammo – Remington Subsonic 38gr HP is a budget-friendly suppressed option
• Winchester 22LR Ammo – Super Suppressed 45gr is purpose-built for cans
• Wolf 22LR Ammo
• CCI – the dominant subsonic 22LR brand, covering Standard Velocity, Quiet-22, Suppressor 45gr HP, and Subsonic HP across the velocity spectrum

Use the Bullet Weight filter on the left sidebar (40-45 grain skews subsonic) and the Bullet Type filter to narrow in-stock subsonic options across all manufacturers.

Best 22LR Guides for Subsonic Shooters

• Best 22LR Ammo for Competition – nearly every competition pick is subsonic for the velocity consistency
• Best 22LR Ammo for Self-Defense – covers both subsonic JHP picks and the velocity-expansion tradeoff

Written by

Sam Jacobs